LUCID DREAMS are a Heavy Metal band from Norway formed in 2007 who cite DREAM THEATER, VAN HALEN and METALLICA as major influences. Their debut album released in 2013 is packed with hard rocking Heavy Metal songs. The album tone is set with the bombastic opener "Cassie's Escape" which gallops at pace, not dissimilar to the album openers that UK legends IRON MAIDEN are famed for. "For Your Love" is hard rock at its very best with big chunky riffs, foot tapping melodies and a very catchy chorus.

The hard rock continues with "Daisy Dukes" which is very catchy, full of big riffs and almost oversteps into pop rock. "Closing The Deal" slows the pace down but keeps it heavy as it stomps majestically through to a finish. Title song "Lucid Dream" is a ballad, heavy with acoustic guitars and soulful yet strong vocals and finishes by upping the tempo and ending in a flurry of guitars. "Stomry" and "Take Me Away" are both mid tempo heavy rock songs with some sparkling guitar solos and catchy choruses.

"Paranoia" bristles with classic NWOBHM traits; "Wanton Conquest" picks up the pace and races through sounding like European power metal with big chunky guitar riffs and screaming solos. Sounding like another ballad is "Light In The Sky" as it opens all acoustic guitars and keyboards, but these soon give way to a foot tapping rock song. Closing the album is the up tempo "When I Die" full of big guitar riffs and solos.

Overall, traditional NWOBHM sounding Heavy Metal mixed with Hard Rock and some really good guitars and keyboards.